U.S. patent application number 15/669696 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-07 for optimizing placement of a wireless range extender.
The applicant listed for this patent is Belkin International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Genevieve S. Bolton, Daniel Frysinger, Ryan Yong Kim, Dan Nguyen, Venkata Subba Rao Pathuri, Aaron Schneider, Gursharan Sidhu, Eu Chong Son, Kannan Vardarajan.
Application Number | 20170353245 15/669696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60483620 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170353245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vardarajan; Kannan ; et
al. |
December 7, 2017 |
OPTIMIZING PLACEMENT OF A WIRELESS RANGE EXTENDER
Abstract
Described are systems, devices, and techniques for extending
wireless networks and associated systems, devices, and techniques
for determination of optimal locations of a wireless range
extender, such as by evalauating a quality of a wireless signal
originating from a wireless gateway or access device and
determining whether an alternative placement of a wireless range
extender would result in improved quality. Also described are
systems, devices, and techniques for automatically grouping
multiple bands of a single wireless access device as well as
systems, devices, and techniques that simplify connection of
wireless devices to a wireless access device, such as by evaluating
wireless messages transmitted on different bands to determine that
the wireless messages originate from the same wireless access
device.
Inventors: |
Vardarajan; Kannan; (Irvine,
CA) ; Son; Eu Chong; (Aliso Viejo, CA) ;
Nguyen; Dan; (Huntington Beach, CA) ; Schneider;
Aaron; (Playa Vista, CA) ; Frysinger; Daniel;
(Topanga, CA) ; Bolton; Genevieve S.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Kim; Ryan Yong; (Rolling Hills Estates, CA)
; Sidhu; Gursharan; (Moorpark, CA) ; Pathuri;
Venkata Subba Rao; (Alpharetta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Belkin International, Inc. |
Playa Vista |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60483620 |
Appl. No.: |
15/669696 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14972480 |
Dec 17, 2015 |
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15669696 |
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14294109 |
Jun 2, 2014 |
9763247 |
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14972480 |
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14339191 |
Jul 23, 2014 |
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14294109 |
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14514628 |
Oct 15, 2014 |
9794782 |
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14339191 |
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14493205 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
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14514628 |
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14493075 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
9191374 |
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14493205 |
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14493199 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
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14493075 |
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14493075 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
9191374 |
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14493199 |
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14493193 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
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14493075 |
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14493075 |
Sep 22, 2014 |
9191374 |
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14493193 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 10/2939 20130101;
H04W 48/08 20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101; H04W 16/26 20130101; H04W
16/20 20130101; H04B 7/15507 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 10/293 20130101
H04B010/293; H04W 16/20 20090101 H04W016/20 |
Claims
1. A wireless network device comprising: one or more processors; a
first wireless transceiver communicatively coupled to the one or
more processors, wherein the first wireless transceiver operates on
a first frequency range; a second wireless transceiver
communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the
second wireless transceiver operates on a second frequency range
different from the first frequency range; a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the one or more
processors, wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage
medium includes instructions that, when executed by the one or more
processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations
including: detecting a first wireless signal on a first wireless
frequency using the first wireless transceiver, wherein the first
wireless signal corresponds to a first network identifier;
detecting a second wireless signal on a second wireless frequency
different from the first wireless frequency using the second
wireless transceiver, wherein the second wireless signal
corresponds to a second network identifier; determining that the
first network identifier and the second network identifier
correspond to a same wireless access device; generating a
notification, wherein the notification indicates that the first
network identifier and the second network identifier correspond to
a same wireless access device; and facilitating a display of the
notification.
2. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein detecting a
wireless signal on a wireless frequency includes: transmitting a
probe request message on the wireless frequency using a wireless
transceiver; and receiving a probe response message on the wireless
frequency using the wireless transceiver, wherein the probe
response message includes a network identifier.
3. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein detecting a
wireless signal on a wireless frequency includes: receiving a
wireless beacon message on the wireless frequency using a wireless
transceiver, wherein the wireless beacon message includes a network
identifier.
4. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein determining
includes comparing a first message element of the first wireless
signal to a second message element of the second wireless
signal.
5. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein determining
includes comparing a first message element of the first wireless
signal to a second message element of the second wireless signal,
and wherein determining includes comparing a third message element
of the first wireless signal to a fourth message element of the
second wireless signal.
6. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein determining
includes matching at least part of the first network identifier to
at least part of the second network identifier.
7. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein determining
includes matching a first portion of a first basic service set
identifier (BSSID) of the first wireless signal to a second portion
of a second BSSID of the second wireless signal.
8. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein determining
includes matching at least part of a first vendor specific element
of the first wireless signal to at least part of a second vendor
specific element of the second wireless signal.
9. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein determining
includes matching at least part of a first service set identifier
(SSID) of the first wireless signal to at least part of a second
SSID of the second wireless signal.
10. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the operations
further include: receiving input corresponding to determination of
a password for establishing a first wireless association between
the wireless network device and the wireless access device using
the first network identifier.
11. The wireless network device of claim 10, wherein the operations
further include: establishing the first wireless association
between the wireless network device and the wireless access device
using the first network identifier and the password; and wherein
determining includes: establishing a second wireless association
between the wireless network device and the wireless access device
using the second network identifier and the password.
12. The wireless network device of claim 10, wherein the operations
further include: receiving input corresponding to determination of
a security protocol for establishing the first wireless association
using the first network identifier.
13. The wireless network device of claim 12, wherein the operations
further include: establishing the first wireless association
between the wireless network device and the wireless access device
using the first network identifier, the password, and the security
protocol; and wherein determining includes: establishing a second
wireless association using the second network identifier, the
password, and the security protocol.
14. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the
notification includes a listing of network identifiers grouped
according to corresponding access devices.
15. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the
notification includes a listing of network identifiers and signal
strength indicators corresponding to the network identifiers.
16. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein facilitating
includes generating a display of the notification.
17. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein: generating
includes generating a web page including the notification; and
facilitating includes transmitting the web page, wherein receiving
the web page at a network device facilitates the network device
displaying the web page including the notification.
18. The wireless network device of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving input corresponding to a determination of the wireless
access device, wherein the wireless access device corresponds to
the first network identifier, the second network identifier, or
both the first network identifier and the second network
identifier; and establishing a wireless association between the
wireless network device and the wireless access device using the
first network identifier or the second network identifier.
19. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the operations
further include: receiving input corresponding to a determination
of the wireless access device, wherein the wireless access device
corresponds to the first network identifier and the second network
identifier; establishing a first wireless association between the
wireless network device and the wireless access device using the
first network identifier and the first wireless frequency;
establishing a second wireless association between the wireless
network device and the wireless access device using the second
network identifier and the second wireless frequency.
20. The wireless network device network device of claim 1, wherein
the wireless network device is a wireless range extender or a
wireless repeater.
21. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the wireless
network device is a wireless bridge or a wireless access point.
22. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the
instructions further include: receiving network credentials for
connecting wireless clients to a wireless network gateway, wherein
the wireless network gateway corresponds to the first network
identifier or the second network identifier; establishing, using
the network credentials, a wireless network connection to the
wireless network gateway; storing the network credentials;
establishing a direct wireless communications link for direct
off-network communication; and transmitting the network credentials
using the direct wireless communications link, wherein receiving
the network credentials at a new device facilitates connection of
the new device to the wireless network gateway using the network
credentials.
23. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the
instructions further include: receiving a communication using the
first wireless transceiver, wherein the communication is received
on a first channel within the first frequency range; determining
that the communication is to be transmitted using the second
wireless transceiver, wherein determining includes identifying that
a band-switching operation is enabled; and transmitting the
communication using the second wireless transceiver, wherein the
communication is transmitted on a second channel within the second
frequency range.
24. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause
the one or more processors to perform operations including:
detecting, by a wireless network device, a first wireless signal on
a first wireless frequency, wherein the first wireless signal
corresponds to a first network identifier; detecting a second
wireless signal on a second wireless frequency different from the
first wireless frequency, wherein the second wireless signal
corresponds to a second network identifier; determining that the
first network identifier and the second network identifier
correspond to a same wireless access device; generating a
notification, wherein the notification indicates that the first
network identifier and the second network identifier correspond to
a same wireless access device; and facilitating a display of the
notification.
25. A computer implemented method, comprising: detecting, by a
wireless network device, a first wireless signal on a first
wireless frequency, wherein the first wireless signal corresponds
to a first network identifier; detecting a second wireless signal
on a second wireless frequency different from the first wireless
frequency, wherein the second wireless signal corresponds to a
second network identifier; determining that the first network
identifier and the second network identifier correspond to a same
wireless access device; generating a notification, wherein the
notification indicates that the first network identifier and the
second network identifier correspond to a same wireless access
device; and facilitating a display of the notification.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/972,480, filed on Dec. 17, 2015. This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/294,109, filed on Jun. 2, 2014. This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/339,191, filed on Jul. 23, 2015. This
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/514,628, filed on Oct. 15, 2014. This
application also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/493,205 filed on Sep. 22, 2014 which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/493,075, filed on Sep. 22,
2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,191,374. This application also a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/493,199
filed on Sep. 22, 2014 which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/493,075, filed on Sep. 22, 2014, now U.S.
Pat. No. 9,191,374. This application also a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/493,193 filed on Sep. 22, 2014
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/493,075, filed on Sep. 22, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,191,374.
All of these are incorporated by reference in their entireties for
all purposes.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless
networks and wireless devices. Specifically, various techniques and
systems are provided for extending the physical range of a wireless
network using a wireless range extender, for self-optimizing the
position of a wireless range extender, and for simplification of
connection of wireless devices to a wireless access device or
wireless gateway device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wireless range extenders are useful for, among other things,
increasing the distance from a wireless access point at which
wireless network services provided by the access point can be used
by other wireless network devices. Similarly, wireless bridges
provide a means for providing wireless connectivity to a wireless
access point to network devices that are not capable of wireless
transmission.
SUMMARY
[0004] Described herein are systems, devices, and techniques for
extending wireless networks and associated systems, devices, and
techniques for determination of optimal locations of wireless
network devices, such as a wireless range extender or wireless
bridge device. For example, by evalauating a quality of a wireless
signal originating from a wireless access device or access device
the systems, devices, and techniques disclosed herein may determine
whether an alternative placement of a wireless network device would
result in improved quality, speed, and/or reliability. In some
implementations, the disclosed systems, devices, and techniques
automatically group multiple bands of a single wireless access
device in order to simplify connection of wireless devices to a
wireless access device.
[0005] In an aspect, devices, systems, methods and computer program
products are described for association of wireless network devices
to two or more wireless networks and for identifying and/or
grouping multiple wireless networks corresponding to a single
wireless access device, such as a wireless router, gateway or other
wireless access device. In an embodiment, a method of this aspect
comprises detecting, such as by a wireless network device, a first
wireless signal on a first wireless frequency, such a first
wireless signal that corresponds to a first network identifier;
detecting a second wireless signal on a second wireless frequency
different from the first wireless frequency, such as a second
wireless signal that corresponds to a second network identifier;
determining that the first network identifier and the second
network identifier correspond to a same wireless access device;
generating a notification, such as a notification that indicates
that the first network identifier and the second network identifier
correspond to the same wireless access device; and facilitating a
display of the notification.
[0006] Various techniques are useful for detecting a wireless
signal on a wireless frequency. For example, in one embodiment,
detecting a wireless signal on a wireless frequency includes
transmitting a probe request message on the wireless frequency and
receiving a probe response message on the wireless frequency, such
as a probe response message that includes a network identifier. In
another embodiment, detecting a wireless signal on a wireless
frequency includes receiving a wireless beacon message on the
wireless frequency, such as a wireless beacon message that includes
a network identifier.
[0007] Further, various techniques are useful for determining that
two network identifiers correspond to the same wireless access
device. In one embodiment, determining includes comparing a first
message element of the first wireless signal to a second message
element of the second wireless signal. Useful message elements
include, for example, network identifiers, such as a service set
identifier (SSID), a basic service set identifier (BSSID), a source
address, etc. Optionally, multiple message elements associated with
each wireless signal may be used, which may increase a confidence
in the determination that two network identifiers correspond to the
same wireless access device. Useful message elements also or
alternatively optionally include a vendor specific element.
Optionally, determining includes matching at least a portion of the
first network identifier to at least a portion of the second
network identifier. Optionally, determining includes matching a
first portion of a first BSSID of the first wireless signal to a
second portion of a second BSSID of the second wireless signal.
Optionally, determining includes matching at least a portion of a
first vendor specific element of the first wireless signal to at
least a portion of a second vendor specific element of the second
wireless signal. Optionally, matching at least a portion of a first
SSID of the first wireless signal to at least a portion of a second
SSID of the second wireless signal.
[0008] In some embodiments, determining that two network
identifiers correspond to the same wireless access device may
include comparing passwords or security protocols needed to connect
to wireless networks corresponding to the two network identifiers.
For example, a method of this aspect may further comprise receiving
input corresponding to determination of a password needed for
establishing a first wireless association between the wireless
network device and the wireless access device using the first
network identifier. Optionally, the input may be user provided.
Optionally, a method of this aspect further comprises establishing
the first wireless association between the wireless network device
and the wireless access device using the first network identifier
and the password. Optionally, determining includes establishing a
second wireless association between the wireless network device and
the wireless access device using the second network identifier and
the password. Optionally, a method of this aspect further comprises
receiving input corresponding to determination of a security
protocol needed for establishing the first wireless association
using the first network identifier. Optionally, a method of this
aspect further comprises establishing the first wireless
association between the wireless network device and the wireless
access device using the first network identifier, the password, and
the security protocol. Optionally, determining includes
establishing a second wireless association using the second network
identifier, the password, and the security protocol. As used
herein, the term "password" may be used interchangeably with the
terms "passcode" and "passphrase" without departing from the spirit
of the invention.
[0009] Notifications useful with the methods of this aspect can
take on a variety of forms. For example, in one embodiment, the
notification includes a listing of network identifiers grouped,
linked, color coded, positioned, or otherwise arranged according to
corresponding access devices. Optionally, the notification includes
a listing of network identifiers and signal strength indicators
corresponding to the network identifiers. Optionally, a display of
the notification is facilitated by generating a display of the
notification, such as directly on a display of the wireless network
device, such as a liquid crystal display or e-ink display.
Optionally, generating the notification includes generating a web
page including the notification. Optionally, facilitating the
display of the notification includes transmitting the web page. In
an exemplary embodiment, receiving the web page at a network device
facilitates the network device displaying the web page including
the notification, such as on a display associated with the network
device, like a monitor or touchscreen interface of the network
device.
[0010] In various embodiments, methods of this aspect include
establishing a wireless association between the wireless network
device and the access device. For example, a user may provide input
identifying which wireless networks of an access device to
associate with and then the wireless network device may proceed
with association. In this way, the wireless network device may
extend or provide access to the wireless network provided by the
access device to other wired or wireless network devices. In one
embodiment, for example, a method of this aspect further comprises
receiving input corresponding to a determination of the wireless
access device, such as where the wireless access device corresponds
to the first network identifier, the second network identifier, or
both the first network identifier and the second network
identifier; and establishing a wireless association between the
wireless network device and the wireless access device using the
first network identifier or the second network identifier.
[0011] Optionally, the wireless network device may establish
separate wireless associations with the wireless access device on
multiple frequencies. In this way, the wireless network device can
be used for extending network access using each of the multiple
frequencies. In one embodiment, a method of this aspect further
comprises receiving input corresponding to a determination of the
wireless access device, wherein the wireless access device
corresponds to the first network identifier and the second network
identifier; establishing a first wireless association between the
wireless network device and the wireless access device using the
first network identifier and the first wireless frequency;
establishing a second wireless association between the wireless
network device and the wireless access device using the second
network identifier and the second wireless frequency.
[0012] Optionally, the extended wireless network access provided by
the wireless network device to other network devices may be
provided on the same or different wireless frequencies and/or
channels. Optionally the extended wireless network access provided
by the wireless network device to other network devices may utilize
the same access credentials, such as SSID and password/passphrase.
Use of the same wireless credentials allows simplification of
connection of other network devices to the wireless network device,
as the other network devices may wirelessly roam from the base
access device to the wireless network device providing extended
service, allowing a seamless user experience.
[0013] In various implementations, systems embodying the above
aspect are provided, such as systems for performing the methods
described above. A specific system embodiment comprises one or more
data processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium containing instructions which when executed on the one or
more data processors, cause the one or more data processors to
perform operations including: detecting, by a wireless network
device, a first wireless signal on a first wireless frequency, such
as a first wireless signal that corresponds to a first network
identifier; detecting a second wireless signal on a second wireless
frequency different from the first wireless frequency, such as a
second wireless signal that corresponds to a second network
identifier; determining that the first network identifier and the
second network identifier correspond to a same wireless access
device; generating a notification, such as a notification that
indicates that the first network identifier and the second network
identifier correspond to the same wireless access device; and
facilitating a display of the notification. It will be appreciated
that any of the variations on the methods described above may be
implemented on the systems provided.
[0014] In embodiments, computer-program products of the above
aspect are provided, such as a computer-program product tangibly
embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,
including instructions configured to cause a computing device to
perform operations including detecting a first wireless signal on a
first wireless frequency, such as a first wireless signal that
corresponds to a first network identifier; detecting a second
wireless signal on a second wireless frequency different from the
first wireless frequency, such as a second wireless signal that
corresponds to a second network identifier; determining that the
first network identifier and the second network identifier
correspond to a same wireless access device; generating a
notification, such as a notification that indicates that the first
network identifier and the second network identifier correspond to
the same wireless access device; and facilitating a display of the
notification. It will be appreciated that any of the variations on
the methods of the related aspect may be implemented as a computer
program product.
[0015] In some embodiments, after identification of a wireless
network, such as by receiving input corresponding to a
determination of one or more wireless network identifiers, a
wireless range extender may associate with one or more wireless
networks of a wireless access device corresponding to the network
identifiers and serve to provide wireless access to the wireless
networks. In this way, the wireless range extender can extend the
usable area for a wireless network, such as by being positioned at
a location within wireless range of the wireless access device and
provide wireless access to other devices that are positioned
further from the wireless access device where they may not be in
range of the wireless access device but may be in range of the
wireless range extender.
[0016] In another aspect, devices, systems, methods and computer
program products are described for optimal positioning of a
wireless network device, such as a wireless range extender or
wireless bridge. In an embodiment, a method of this aspect
comprises receiving, at a wireless network device, input
corresponding to a determination of a wireless access device;
detecting a wireless signal, such as a wireless signal that
corresponds to the wireless access device; determining a quality of
the wireless signal; comparing the quality of the wireless signal
to a threshold value; generating a notification based on the
comparison, such as a notification that includes instructions for
positioning the wireless network device; and facilitating
displaying the notification. Optionally, receiving input
corresponding to a determination of a wireless access device
includes receiving input corresponding to determination of a
network identifier. In embodiments, the methods described above for
identifying and/or grouping multiple wireless networks
corresponding to a single wireless access device may be implemented
in determination of the wireless access device.
[0017] Various techniques are useful for detecting the wireless
signal. For example, in one embodiment, detecting the wireless
signal includes establishing a wireless association between the
wireless network device and the wireless access device. Optionally,
detecting the wireless signal includes transmitting a probe request
message; and receiving a probe response message, such as a probe
response message that corresponds to the wireless access device.
Optionally, detecting the wireless signal includes receiving a
wireless beacon message, such as a wireless beacon message that
corresponds to the wireless access device.
[0018] It will be appreciated that any of a variety of quality
metrics are useful with methods of this aspect. Although not so
limited, in one embodiment, the quality of the wireless signal
corresponds to a measure of the received power of the wireless
signal. For example, the quality may correspond to a received
signal strength indication (RSSI). In one embodiment, the measure
of the received power of the wireless signal is greater than or
equal to -50 dBm and the notification includes instructions to move
the wireless network device away from the wireless access device.
In another embodiment, the measure of the received power of the
wireless signal is less than or equal to -75 dBm and the
notification includes instructions to move the wireless network
device closer to the wireless access device. In another embodiment,
the measure of the received power of the wireless signal is between
-75 dBm and -50 dBm and the notification includes instructions to
keep the wireless network device at the current distance from the
wireless access device.
[0019] Optionally, quality of the wireless signal corresponds to
one or more of: a measure of the received signal strength of the
wireless signal, a received channel power indicator of the wireless
signal, a received power of the wireless signal, a signal to noise
ratio of the wireless signal, a noise margin of the wireless
signal, a wireless signal travel time between the wireless access
device and the wireless network device, an average connection speed
during wireless association between the wireless network device and
the wireless access device, a number of detected wireless devices
operating on a same channel as the wireless access device, a
statistical measure of a characteristic of a wireless association
between the wireless network device and the wireless access device,
a packet drop rate, an average throughput, determination of a
distance between the wireless access device and the wireless
network device.
[0020] In embodiments, the wireless network device has power
removed during a process of optimizing placement of the device,
such as by a user in order to position the wireless network device
at a new location. Preferably, the user moves the wireless network
device according to information included in the notification. When
power is resumed, for example, embodiments of methods of this
aspect resume performance. For example, in one embodiment, a method
of this aspect further comprises detecting removal of and/or
restoration of power to the wireless network device and resuming
performance of the method thereafter. Optionally, methods of this
aspect further comprise detecting a new wireless signal, such as a
new wireless signal that corresponds to the wireless access device;
determining a new quality of the new wireless signal; making a new
comparison of the new quality of the wireless signal to the
threshold value; generating a new notification based on the new
comparison, such as a new notification that includes instructions
for positioning the wireless network device, such as to position
the wireless network device at a different distance from the
wireless access device or to keep the wireless network device at a
current distance from the wireless access device; and facilitating
displaying the new notification. In this way, the wireless network
device may evaluate the quality of the wireless signal upon
restoration of the power to the wireless network device at a new
position and determine whether the wireless signal quality for the
new location is sufficient.
[0021] In various embodiments, the wireless network device may
monitor a quality of a wireless signal or wireless association for
a period of time, such as to establish statistical information
about the wireless network and quality of the wireless signals from
the wireless network at the position of the wireless network
device. After the statistical information is obtained, this
information can be evaluated to determine whether another position
for the wireless network device might provide a higher or more
suitable quality signal. For example, wireless interference may be
sporadic and so an initial quality determination may not be
indicative of the true performance of a wireless association over a
longer term during which the wireless interference is present. It
will be appreciated that a variety of conditions may result in
wireless interference, such as presence and/or operation of other
wireless devices, presence and/or operation of other electronic
devices, such as microwaves, presence and/or orientation of
obstructions, etc., and that these conditions may change as a
function of time.
[0022] In one embodiment, a method of this aspect further comprises
establishing a wireless association with the wireless access
device; monitoring a characteristic of the wireless association;
determining a statistical measure of the characteristic of the
wireless association; generating a new notification using the
statistical measure, such as a new notification that includes
instructions for positioning the wireless network device; and
facilitating displaying the new notification.
[0023] The notification for positioning the wireless network device
may be provided in a variety of forms. For example, in one
embodiment, the notification may take an optical form, such as a
light present on the wireless network device, or an audible form,
such as a sound emitted by the wireless network device. Optionally,
facilitating displaying the notification includes changing a
display of one more lights of the wireless network device or of
another network device. Optionally, facilitating displaying the
notification includes displaying the notification on a display of
the wireless network device or of another network device.
Optionally, facilitating displaying the notification includes
generating an audible signal using a speaker of the wireless
network device or of another network device. In one embodiment, the
notification takes a form representing a direction to move the
wireless network device, such as a word or other sound or symbol
indicating whether to move the wireless network device closer to or
further from the wireless access device. In another embodiment, the
notification takes a form representing optimal placement of the
wireless network device, such as a word or other sound or symbol
indicating that the wireless network device does not need to be
moved.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the notification includes
instructions to place the wireless network device at a different
distance from the wireless access device or to keep the wireless
network device at a current distance from the wireless access
device. Optionally, the notification includes instructions to move
the wireless network device toward the wireless access device.
Optionally, the notification includes instructions to move the
wireless network device away from the wireless access device.
[0025] Optionally, generating the notification includes determining
that the quality of the wireless signal is greater than a low
threshold value; and determining that the quality of the wireless
signal is greater than a high threshold value. Optionally, the
notification includes instructions to move the wireless network
device away from the wireless access device.
[0026] Optionally, generating the notification includes determining
that the quality of the wireless signal is smaller than a low
threshold value; and determining that the quality of the wireless
signal is smaller than a high threshold value. Optionally, the
notification includes instructions to move the wireless network
device closer to the wireless access device.
[0027] Optionally, generating the notification includes determining
that the quality of the wireless signal is greater than a low
threshold value; and determining that the quality of the wireless
signal is smaller than a high threshold value. Optionally, the
notification includes instructions to keep the wireless network
device at the current distance from the wireless access device.
[0028] Optionally, the notification is included on a web page
displayed by the wireless network device or another network device.
In an embodiment, for example, generating includes generating a web
page including the notification. Optionally, facilitating
displaying the notification includes transmitting the web page.
Optionally, receiving the web page at a network device facilitates
the network device displaying the web page including the
notification.
[0029] In some embodiments, a wireless network device is capable of
and/or configured for associating with wireless access devices on
multiple wireless frequencies. It will be appreciated that
different frequency wireless signals may have different propagation
characteristics. For example, in some configurations, a 2.4 GHz
wireless signal will propagate further than a similar 5 GHz
wireless signal, such as a 5 GHz wireless signal that has a same
transmission power as the 2.4 GHz wireless signal. Accordingly, a
device positioned optimally for receiving a first wireless signal
at a first frequency may not be positioned optimally for receiving
a second wireless signal at a second frequency different from the
first frequency. Aspects described herein are useful, for example,
for determining an optimal location for a dual-frequency wireless
network device.
[0030] For example, in one embodiment, detecting a wireless signal
includes detecting a first wireless signal corresponding to the
wireless access device, such as where the first wireless signal
corresponds to a first wireless frequency and detecting a second
wireless signal corresponding to the wireless access device, such
as where the second wireless signal corresponds to a second
wireless frequency. Optionally, determining the quality of a
wireless signal includes determining a first quality of the first
wireless signal and determining a second quality of the second
wireless signal. Optionally, generating the notification includes
determining whether the first quality of the first wireless signal
is less than or greater than a first threshold value and
determining whether the second quality of the second wireless
signal is less than or greater than a second threshold value. In
some embodiments, a method of this aspect further comprises
establishing a first wireless association with the wireless access
device using the first wireless frequency and establishing a second
wireless association with the wireless access device using the
second wireless frequency.
[0031] Optionally, detecting the wireless signal includes detecting
a first wireless network operating on a first wireless frequency,
such as where the first wireless network corresponds to a first
network identifier detecting a second wireless network operating on
a second wireless frequency, such as where the second wireless
network corresponds to a second network identifier, and determining
that both the first network identifier and the second network
identifier correspond to the wireless access device.
[0032] Various wireless network devices are useful with the
methods, systems and products described herein. Useful wireless
network devices include those for making a wireless connection with
a wireless access device, such as a wireless router, a wireless
access point, or a wireless gateway, and providing wireless network
connectivity to other network devices, such as using an additional
wired or wireless network connection. For example, in one
embodiment, the wireless network device is a wireless range
extender. Optionally, the wireless network device is a wireless
repeater. In an embodiment, the wireless network device is a
wireless bridge. Optionally, the wireless network device is a
wireless access point. In this way, the range of a wireless access
device can be extended to additional wired or wireless network
devices.
[0033] In embodiments, wireless network devices may be compliant
with one or more Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) wireless networking standards or amendments, such as
802.11-2007, 802.11-2012, 802.11n, 802.11ac, etc. Optionally,
various wireless frequencies are useful with the methods of this
aspect, such as those suitable for use by a wireless network device
or prescribed by an IEEE 802.11 standard, such as one or more
frequencies within a 2.4 GHz band and/or one or more frequencies
within a 5 GHz band. It will be appreciated that channel and
frequency assignments available for use may be prescribed by local
regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) in the United States. Further, it will be appreciated that
various channel numbers and widths may be used by a wireless
network device. In one embodiment, a first wireless frequency
corresponds to 2.4 GHz, or a channel or channel range thereof, and
a second wireless frequency corresponds to 5 GHz, or a channel or
channel range thereof In another embodiment, a first wireless
frequency corresponds to a first 5 GHz channel or channel range and
a second wireless frequency corresponds to a different 5 GHz
channel or channel range. Optionally, a third wireless frequency
corresponds to a 2.4 GHz channel or channel range.
[0034] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential
features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject
matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to
appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent,
any or all drawings, and each claim.
[0035] The foregoing, together with other features and embodiments,
will become more apparent upon referring to the following
specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail below with reference to the following drawing
figures:
[0037] FIG. 1 provides an illustration of an example of a network
environment, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 2 provides an illustration of an example of a network
environment, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B provide overviews of exchange of
wireless messages between network devices, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 4A provides a summary of example messages received by a
wireless network device, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG.
4B provides an example notification listing detected wireless
networks, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 4C provides an
example notification listing detected wireless networks, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0041] FIG. 5 provides a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process for detecting a plurality of wireless networks.
[0042] FIG. 6 provides an illustration of an example of a network
environment, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0043] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D, and FIG. 7E provide
illustrations of the arrangement of wireless network devices in a
network environment, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, and FIG. 8D provide illustration
of example notifications, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 9 provides a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a
process for determining an optimal position of a wireless network
device.
[0046] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a wireless network
device.
[0047] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a server.
[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an access device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] In the following description, for the purposes of
explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, it
will be apparent that various embodiments may be practiced without
these specific details. The figures and description are not
intended to be restrictive.
[0050] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only,
and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of
the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art
with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary
embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be
made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the
appended claims.
[0051] Specific details are given in the following description to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it
will be understood by one of skill in the art that the embodiments
may be practiced without these specific details. For example,
circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be
shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure
the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances,
well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and
techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to
avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0052] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be
described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow
diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block
diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a
sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in
parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations
may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are
completed, but could have additional steps not included in a
figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a
procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process
corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a
return of the function to the calling function or the main
function.
[0053] The term "machine-readable storage medium" or
"computer-readable storage medium" includes, but is not limited to,
portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices,
and various other mediums capable of storing, containing, or
carrying instruction(s) and/or data. A machine-readable medium may
include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and
that does not include carrier waves and/or transitory electronic
signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples
of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a
magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such as compact disk
(CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, memory or
memory devices. A computer-program product may include code and/or
machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a
function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a
module, a software package, a class, or any combination of
instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code
segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware
circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments,
parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters,
data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any
suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token
passing, network transmission, etc.
[0054] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware,
software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description
languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in
software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or
code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a
computer-program product) may be stored in a machine-readable
medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.
[0055] Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in
various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be
configured as a distributed system where one or more components of
the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud
computing system.
[0056] A network may be set up to provide an network device user
with access to various devices connected to the network. For
example, a network may include one or more gateways or access
devices (e.g., access points, router, range extenters, bridges,
etc.) that allow client devices to access the network by providing
wired connections and/or wireless connections using radio frequency
channels in one or more frequency bands. The one or more gateways
may also provide the client devices with access to one or more
external networks, such as a cloud network, the Internet, and/or
other wide area networks.
[0057] A local area network, such as a user's home local area
network, can include multiple network devices that provide various
functionalities. The local area network can also extend outside of
the user's home and may include network devices located outside of
the user's home. For instance, the local area network can include
network devices such as exterior motion sensors, exterior lighting
(e.g., porch lights, walkway lights, security lights, or the like),
garage door openers, sprinkler systems, or other network devices
that are exterior to the user's home. It is desirable for a user to
be able to access the network devices while located within the
local area network and also while located remotely from the local
area network. For example, a user may access the network devices
using a network within the local area network or remotely from the
local area network.
[0058] Devices within the local area network may include a network
gateway, such as a wired or wireless access device, a wired or
wireless router, a wireless range extender, a wireless bridge, and
client devices. It will be appreciated that devices attached to,
associated with or otherwise connected to the local area network
may exchange network communications with one another using a wired
or wireless medium, depending on the specific network interfaces
present within the devices. In some embodiments, a network device
includes one or more wired network interfaces and one or more
wireless network interfaces. It will be appreciated that various
network interfaces may be implemented within wireless devices, such
as network interfaces compliant with one or more Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards or
specifications, such as IEEE 802.3 or IEEE 802.11.
[0059] For example, a typical wireless router used in a home local
area network may include a first wired interface for establishing a
wired network connection with a gateway device, such as a cable,
DSL, cellular, or fiber optic modem, which may provide network
access to a wide area network, such as the Internet. The wireless
router may further include one or more additional wired interfaces
for establishing wired network connections with one or more client
or intermediate network devices, such as a hub, switch, personal
computer, set top box, video game console, Voice Over Internet
Protocol (VOIP) phone, access points, and the like. The wireless
router may further include one or more wireless interfaces for
establishing wireless network connections with one or more client
or intermediate network devices, such as a laptop, smartphone, set
top box, video game console, wireless repeater, wireless bridge,
wireless range extender, and the like. In some embodiments, a
wireless router may include a first wireless interface that
operates on a first frequency, such as using the 2.4 GHz band
associated with IEEE 802.11 devices, and a second wireless
interface that operates on a second frequency, such as such as
using the 5 GHz band associated with IEEE 802.11 devices. In this
way, the wireless router may be useful for providing network access
to any of a range of network devices.
[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a local area network 100.
The local area network 100 includes a wireless access device 102,
which provides network connectivity to network 104, such as over a
wired or wireless interface, to various other network devices.
Local area network 100 further includes a second wireless access
device 106, which is illustrated in wired network communication
with wireless access device 102. Various wireless network devices
are further included in local area network 100, including tablet
computer 108 and laptop 110. Tablet computer 108 is connected to
wireless access device 102 by wireless network connection 112, for
example. Laptop 110 is connected to the second wireless access
device 106 by wireless network connection 114, for example. A
smartphone 116 is illustrated as in the vicinity of local area
network 100, but positioned at a location outside of a wireless
range of wireless access device 102 or second wireless access
device 106, such that smartphone 116 is unable to establish a
wireless connection 118 or 120 with either access point.
[0061] One solution for providing wireless connectivity to
smartphone 116 is illustrated in FIG. 2. There, an intermediate
wireless network device, such as a wireless range extender 122, is
positioned between wireless access device 102 and smartphone 116.
Wireless range extender 122 may make one or more wireless network
connections 124 with wireless access device 102 and also make a
wireless network connection 126 with smartphone 116 in order to
provide network access to local area network 100 to smartphone 116.
It will be appreciated that wireless range extender 122 may
alternatively or additionally establish a wireless network
connection with second wireless access point 106. It will further
be appreciated that wireless range extender 122 may function
alternatively or additionally as a wireless bridge and provide
connectivity via wireless network connection 124 to local area
network 100 to one or more network devices over a wired network
interface.
[0062] It will also be appreciated that the local area network 100
may have other components than those depicted. Further, the
embodiments shown in the figures are only examples of local area
networks that may incorporate embodiments of the invention. In some
other embodiments, local area network 100 may have more or fewer
components than shown in the figure, may combine two or more
components, or may have a different configuration or arrangement of
components.
[0063] The local area network 100 may include a wireless network or
a combination of wired and wireless networks, as illustrated. A
wireless network may include any wireless interface or combination
of wireless interfaces (e.g., Zigbee.TM., Bluetooth.TM., Wi-Fi.TM.,
IR, cellular, long-term evolution (LTE), WiMax.TM., or the like). A
wired network may include any wired interface (e.g., fiber,
ethernet, powerline ethernet, ethernet over coaxial cable, digital
signal line (DSL), or the like). The wired and/or wireless networks
may be implemented using various routers, access points, bridges,
gateways, or the like, to connect devices in the local area network
100.
[0064] The network 104, to which access is provided by wireless
access device 102, may be of any type of network that can support
data communications using any of a variety of
commercially-available protocols and using one or more gateway
devices, such as a cable modem, wireless modem, DSL modem, fiber
optic network modem, etc. Network 104 may include one or more
external networks, such as a cloud network, the Internet, and/or
other wide area networks. In certain embodiments, services provided
by the network 104 may include a host of services that are made
available to users, such as registration and access control of
network devices included in local area network 100. For example,
the network 104 may host an application, and a user may, via a
communication network such as the Internet, use the
application.
[0065] Optionally, upon being powered on or reset, any one or more
of the network devices included in local area network 100 may be
registered with a server present in network 104, such as a server
of a cloud service provider. For example, services may be provided
by a cloud service provided that allow control over network devices
present within local area network 100 from anywhere that access to
the cloud service provider may be obtained. In this way, a user may
monitor or control devices such as the wireless access device 102,
second wireless access device 106, tablet computer 108, laptop 110,
wireless range extender 122, and other network devices, from any
location inside or outside of local area network 100 where access
to the cloud service provider may be obtained.
[0066] The process of associating a wireless network device, such
as a wireless range extender, with a wireless network begins, in
some embodiments, by the wireless network device detecting wireless
networks operating in the vicinity of the wireless network device.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate two processes by which a wireless range
extender may detect nearby wireless networks.
[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, wireless range extender 304 may
actively scan for nearby wireless networks by transmitting one or
more probe request messages on each of the wireless bands it may be
compatible with, such as 2.4 GHz probe request 308 and 5 GHz probe
request 312. It will be appreciated that probe requests 308 and 312
may conform to one or more wireless network specifications, such as
an IEEE 802.11 specification, and may comprise, for example, a
wireless management frame requesting information about the wireless
networks that detect the transmitted frame. Wireless access devices
316 and 320 may be present in a detection range of the transmitted
probe requests 308 and 312 and respond accordingly with one or more
probe responses. For example, wireless access device 316 responds
by transmitting a 2.4 GHz probe response 324 and a 5 GHz probe
response 328, and wireless access device 320 responds by
transmitting a 2.4 GHz probe response 332 and a 5 GHz probe
response 334. It will be appreciated that probe responses 324, 328,
332, and 334 may also conform to one or more wireless network
specifications, such as an IEEE 802.11 specification, and may
comprise, for example, a wireless management frame providing
information about the wireless networks operated by the access
devices. Probe responses 324, 328, 332, and 334 may include
information about the wireless access device or wireless network,
such as a network identifier, like a service set identifier (SSID),
a basic service set identifier (BSSID), and/or an internet protocol
(IP) address, rate information, channel information, etc., and
vendor specific information. As illustrated, wireless range
extender 304 receives the probe responses 324, 328, 332, and 336
and assembles a list of detected networks 340.
[0068] FIG. 3B illustrates a passive scanning technique in which
wireless range extender 304 listens for nearby wireless networks
that transmit one or more beacon messages on each of the wireless
bands it may be compatible with, such as for 2.4 GHz beacon
messages and 5 GHz beacon messages. It will be appreciated that the
beacon messages may conform to one or more wireless network
specifications, such as an IEEE 802.11 specification, and may
comprise, for example, a wireless management frame providing
information about the wireless networks operated by the access
devices. Beacon messages may include information about the wireless
access device or wireless network, such as a network identifier,
like a service set identifier (SSID), a basic service set
identifier (BSSID), and/or an internet protocol (IP) address, rate
information, channel information, etc., and vendor specific
information. As illustrated, wireless access device 316 transmits a
2.4 GHz beacon 344 and a 5 GHz beacon 348, and wireless access
device 320 transmits a 2.4 GHz beacon 352 and a 5 GHz beacon 356.
Upon wireless range extender 304 receiving the beacons 344, 348,
352, and 356, wireless range extender 304 assembles a list of
detected networks 338.
[0069] FIG. 4A provides an exemplary summary of messages 404, 408,
412, 416, 420, 424, 428, and 432, which are received by a wireless
network device. As illustrated, various message elements are
depicted in messages 404, 408, 412, 416, 420, 424, 428, and 432,
which may be used by a wireless network for further analysis. As
will be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure, messages 404,
408, 412, 416, 420, 424, 428, and 432 may correspond to beacon
messages and/or probe response messages, for example.
[0070] In a conventional wireless network device, the wireless
network device may generate a notification 440 listing each of the
wireless networks detected, such as is depicted in FIG. 4B. Here,
the detected wireless networks may be presented in a list that is
sorted, for example, according to detected signal strength, as
shown by the signal strength indicators on the right. If two
networks are depicted as having the same detected signal strength,
a secondary sort order may be used, such as an alphabetical sorting
based on detected SSID. It will be appreciated that other sorting
options may be utilized.
[0071] As will be understood in view of the present disclosure, the
wireless network device may alternatively identify wireless
networks that are associated with the same access device and group
those network originating from the same access device for
presenting in a notification. FIG. 4C illustrates a listing of
access devices grouped in this way. Various techniques may be
implemented for determining that the different wireless networks
are associated with the same access device. For example, the
wireless network device may determine that all or a portion of
network identifiers for two or more detected networks match and
thereby determine that the networks are associated with the same
access device. For example, from FIG. 4A, it may be determined that
message 404 and message 408 have SSIDs that match, at least in
part, and therefore the networks corresponding to these SSIDs are
associated with the same access device. As another example, it may
be determined that message 412 and message 416 may have SSIDs
and/or BSSIDs that match, in part, and therefore the network
corresponding to these messages are associated with the same access
device. As another example, it may be determined that message 420
and message 424 may have SSIDs and/or security protocols that
match, and therefore the network corresponding to these messages
are associated with the same access device. As a further example,
it may be determined that message 428 and message 4432 may have
vendor specific elements (VSEs) that match, and therefore the
network corresponding to these messages are associated with the
same access device. In addition, combinations of factors may be
used in determining that two networks are associated with the same
access device. The grouped networks may be sorted according to one
or more sorting conditions for display in the notification 450. The
notification may include information in addition to that shown in
FIG. 4C, such as vendor information about the wireless access
device, such as a manufacturer, model, etc. Such information may be
useful to a user in aiding the determination of which access device
is the one that a wireless network device is to associate with.
[0072] FIG. 5 provides an overview of a method for detecting a
plurality of wireless networks. At block 505, a first wireless
signal including a first message element is detected. A message
element may include one or more components of a wireless data
frame, such as a beacon frame, probe response frame, or other
802.11 management frame, for example. At block 510, a second
wireless signal including a second message element is detected. At
block 515, the first and second message elements are compared. The
comparison may indicate that all or portions of the message
elements are the same or different. This comparison may be later
utilized, such as in block 520 where the first and second wireless
signals are identified as originating from the same wireless access
device. At block 525 a notification is generated indicating that
the first and second wireless signals are from the same access
device. Notifications may include, for example, a webpage or other
message that in some way identifies the wireless signals as
originating from the same access device. At block 530, the
notification is displayed, such as on a display of a wireless
network device, using a web browser associated with the wireless
network device, etc.
[0073] A user operating the wireless network device may optionally
provide input identifying a wireless access device to associate
with. For example, as displayed in FIG. 4C, the user may provide
input corresponding to a determination of the wireless access
device associated with the networks having the SSIDs of "Network"
and "Network_5 GHz". Such input may be provided using one or more
input devices of the wireless network device. Depending on the
configuration of the wireless network device, the wireless network
device may establish a wireless association with the access device,
such as using one or both of the SSIDs identified. It will be
appreciated that various other inputs may be required for
establishing a wireless association, such as a password,
passphrase, credentials, etc.
[0074] In some embodiments, a wireless network device may be
positioned outside of the detectable or usable wireless range of an
access device. FIG. 6 displays a schematic illustration of an
example network environment showing a smartphone 604 operating at
various locations relative to a wireless access point 608.
Gradations are illustrated in FIG. 6 providing example relative
wireless signal strengths that may be detected at distances from
wireless access point 608. At a location 612 close to wireless
access point 608, smartphone 604 may detect a strong wireless
signal and display a signal meter with full bars--4 bars as
depicted in FIG. 6. At a slightly more distant location 616 from
wireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may detect a wireless
signal and display a signal meter with 3 bars. At a further distant
location 620 from wireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may
detect a wireless signal and display a signal meter with 2 bars. At
a yet further distant location 624 from wireless access point 608,
smartphone 604 may detect a wireless signal and display a signal
meter with 1 bars. At a still further distant location 628 from
wireless access point 608, smartphone 604 may not detect a wireless
signal from wireless access point 608, and display a signal meter
with 0 bars or some other indication of no signal received. It will
be appreciated that the signal meter displayed is merely exemplary
and serves to provide a measure of the relative detected signal
strength. Various implementations are possible.
[0075] FIGS. 7A-7E provide schematic illustrations of an example
network environment showing a smartphone 704 positioned at a
distance from a wireless access point 708. FIGS. 7B-7E further
depict a wireless range extender 712 positioned at various
locations relative to smartphone 704 and wireless access point 708.
Gradations are illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7E showing relative wireless
signal strengths that may be detected from wireless access point
708 and wireless range extender 712. It should again be appreciated
that the gradations illustrated are merely exemplary and represent
only one implementation. Other signal strength indicators can be
conceived and it may be possible that the signal reach of different
devices may be different.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 7A, smartphone 704 is positioned at a
location outside of the wireless range of wireless access point
708. If it is desired to provide wireless connectivity to
smartphone 704, a wireless range extender 712 may be used. For
example, a wireless range extender 712 may make a first wireless
association with wireless access point 708 and a second wireless
association with smartphone 704 and function as a relay or bridge,
providing network connectivity between smartphone 704 and wireless
access point 708.
[0077] In FIG. 7B, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a
location where smartphone 704 receives a wireless signal of
suitable strength for network communications with wireless range
extender. However, wireless range extender 712 and wireless access
point 708 are positioned at a relative location to one another such
that wireless range extender 712 and wireless access point 708 can
not establish wireless communications with one another.
Accordingly, wireless range extender may determine that this
location is not optimal and may generate a notification indicating
a need to move the wireless range extender closer to the wireless
access point. The notification may be included on a web page
generated by wireless range extender 712, for example, which may be
displayed by smartphone 704 or another network device. The
notification may be displayed directly by wireless range extender
712, such as using one or more lights or audible signals. As
depicted, wireless range extender 712 includes multiple lights,
such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) that illuminate according to
whether the wireless range extender 712 should be moved closer to
or further from the wireless access point 708. As illustrated in
FIG. 7B, the right most LED on wireless range extender 712 is
illuminated, indicating that the wireless range extender 712 needs
to be moved closer to the wireless access point 708. It will be
appreciated that other notification schemes may be implemented and
that the notification schemes described here are merely
examples.
[0078] In FIG. 7C, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a
location where wireless access point 708 and wireless range
extender 712 receive high signal strengths from one another and so
can establish network communications with one another. However,
smartphone 704 and wireless range extender 712 are positioned at a
relative location to one another such that they can not establish
wireless communications with one another. Wireless range extender
712 may determine that this location is not optimal, due to a
detected high signal strength from wireless access point 708, and
may generate a notification indicating that the wireless range
extender 712 needs to be moved further away from the wireless
access point 708. This determination may occur by analyzing the
signal strength of wireless signals transmitted by wireless access
point 708 and received by wireless range extender 712. For example,
wireless range extender 712 may identify a signal strength greater
than 75% as not optimal. As with FIG. 7B, the notification may be
included on a web page generated by wireless range extender 712;
alternatively or additionally, the notification may be displayed
directly by wireless range extender 712, such as using one or more
lights or audible signals. As depicted, in FIG. 7C, the left most
LED on wireless range extender 712 is illuminated, indicating that
the wireless range extender 712 needs to be moved further away from
the wireless access point 708.
[0079] In FIG. 7D, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a
location where wireless access point 708 and wireless range
extender 712 receive signal strengths from one another and so can
establish network communications with one another. Smartphone 704
and wireless range extender 712 are positioned at a relative
location to one another such that they can also establish wireless
communications with one another. The signal strength received at
wireless range extender 712 from wireless access point 708 may,
however, be identified as too low, such as less than 25%, and so it
may be determined by the wireless range extender 712 that the
placement is also not optimal. Again, wireless range extender may
generate a notification of non-optimal placement, such as a
notification included on a web page generated by wireless range
extender 712 and/or displayed directly by wireless range extender
712, such as using one or more lights or audible signals. As
depicted, in FIG. 7D, the right most LED on wireless range extender
712 is illuminated, indicating that the wireless range extender 712
needs to be moved closer to the wireless access point 708.
[0080] In FIG. 7E, wireless range extender 712 is positioned at a
location where wireless access point 708 and wireless range
extender 712 receive signals of suitable strengths from one another
and so can establish network communications with one another.
Smartphone 704 and wireless range extender 712 are positioned at a
relative location to one another such that they can also establish
wireless communications with one another. The signal strength
received at wireless range extender 712 from wireless access point
708 may be identified as above a suitable low-threshold value
(e.g., greater than 25%) and below a high-threshold value (e.g.,
less than 75%) and so it may be determined by the wireless range
extender 712 that the placement is optimal. Again, wireless range
extender may generate a notification of the optimal placement, such
as a notification included on a web page generated by wireless
range extender 712 and/or displayed directly by wireless range
extender 712, such as using one or more lights or audible signals.
As depicted, in FIG. 7E, the center LED on wireless range extender
712 is illuminated, indicating that the placement of wireless range
extender 712 is optimal. It will be appreciated that, although a
wireless range extender is depicted in FIGS. 7B-7E, other wireless
network devices, such as a wireless bridge or other wireless
repeater type device, may operate in a similar way as the wireless
range extender.
[0081] FIGS. 8A-8D provide illustrations of example notifications
for embodiments where the notification is included in a web page
generated by a range extender. It will be appreciated that,
although a wireless range extender is depicted in FIGS. 8A-8D as
generating the notification, other wireless network devices, such
as a wireless bridge or other wireless repeater type device, may
operate in a similar way as the wireless range extender.
[0082] The notification shown in FIG. 8A may correspond to, for
example, the arrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7B, where
the wireless range extender is positioned at a location where it is
receiving a weak, low, or no signal strength wireless signal from
the wireless router. The web page may be generated, for example, by
the wireless range extender and displayed, for example, by the
smartphone or other network device, which may access the web page
using a browser application or other software application. As
illustrated in FIG. 8A, the notification provides instructions to
move the wireless range extender closer to the wireless router.
[0083] The notification shown in FIG. 8B may correspond to, for
example, the arrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7C, where
the wireless range extender is positioned at a location where it is
receiving a strong or high signal strength wireless signal from the
wireless router. The web page may be generated, for example, by the
wireless range extender and displayed, for example, by a
smartphone, laptop, or other network device, which may access the
web page using a browser application or other software included on
the device. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the notification provides
instructions to move the wireless range extender away from the
wireless router.
[0084] It will further be appreciated that a wireless range
extender or similar wireless network device may operate on AC
power, such as may be provided through standard 120 V/60 Hz AC NEMA
5 wall outlets in the United States, or DC power, such as may be
generated by an AC/DC converter, etc. In order to change the
position of the wireless it may be necessary to remove power from
the wireless range extender. In embodiments, the wireless range
extender detects the loss of power and, upon power being restored,
may resume the wireless network detection and position optimization
process. In some embodiments, a notification is generated
indicating that the process is being resumed, such as a web page
that allows a user to provide input selecting whether to resume the
optimization process or to start the setup process over. In order
to facilitate the resumption, information, such as a selected
wireless network and credential information, may be stored by the
wireless range extender to a non-transitory storage device included
in the wireless range extender prior to power being removed and
loaded upon power being restored.
[0085] One advantage of generating a web page including the
notification, as compared to an LED light or audible notification,
for example, is that more granular information can be provided to
the user, such as information relating to the exact signal strength
observed, information about how far and in what direction to move
the range extender, etc. Further, it will be appreciated that a
display included in the wireless range extender (e.g., a liquid
crystal display (LCD) or e-ink display) may operate to display the
notification and not require an external network device for
displaying a web page generated by the wireless range extender.
[0086] The notification shown in FIG. 8C may correspond to, for
example, the arrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7D, where
the wireless range extender is positioned at a location where it is
receiving a moderate signal strength wireless signal from the
wireless router, which may allow the device to operate, though may
result in some interruptions. In addition, although the signal
strength for one wireless band may be of sufficient strength, such
as the 2.4 GHz band illustrated in FIG. 8C, another band may only
receive a weak or poor strength signal, such as the 5 GHz band
illustrated in FIG. 8C. Accordingly, the notification generated by
the wireless range extender may include information that the signal
may be sufficient, but could potentially be further optimized by
moving the range extender closer to the wireless router. The
notification may be implemented in a web page generated, for
example, by the wireless range extender and displayed, for example,
by the smartphone illustrated in FIG. 7D, which may access the web
page using a browser application or other software included on the
smartphone.
[0087] It will also be appreciated that additional information
and/or instructions in the notification other than those
illustrated herein may be provided by the wireless range extender.
For example, a notification may indicate that the wireless signal
strength is sufficient and falls within the optimal range but range
may be further optimized by moving the wireless range extender
further away from the wireless access point. Additionally,
notifications may provide information about signal strength per
band or for multiple wireless access points. Other information may
be generated by the wireless range extender to include in the
notification, depending on the configuration. For example, a
wireless range extender may include location determination or
approximation hardware, such as global positioning system (GPS)
hardware, Bluetooth Low Energy hardware, which may be useful for
proximity determination, etc. In such as configuration, a floor
plan type display may be generated to indicate the relative
position of wireless devices, similar to the illustrations in FIGS.
7A-7E, for example. Proximity determination hardware may optionally
be paired with software included on a wireless network device, such
as an application operating on a smartphone, in order to make use
of and/or detect the proximity of a device to one or more Bluetooth
beacon devices, for example.
[0088] The notification shown in FIG. 8D may correspond to, for
example, the arrangement of devices illustrated in FIG. 7E, where
the wireless range extender is positioned at a location where it is
receiving a good signal strength wireless signal from the wireless
router, which may allow the devices to communicate efficiently and
provide optimal wireless range extension to nearby wireless network
devices. Thus, the illustrated notification generated by the
wireless range extender may include information that the signal may
be sufficient and that the position of the wireless range extender
is optimal and/or that the range of the wireless network is
optimally extended.
[0089] FIG. 9 provides an overview of a method embodiment for
determining optimal placement of a wireless network device, such as
a wireless range extender or wireless bridge. At block 905, it is
determined which wireless access device the wireless network device
is to connect to, such as which wireless router, wireless access
point, wireless range extender, etc. to connect to. The
determination may be optionally made by receiving input from a user
corresponding to selection of a wireless access device. As
necessary, credential information may also be received
corresponding to information needed to establish a wireless
association with the wireless access device. In some embodiments,
the determination may be made by reading stored determination
information from a memory device, such as in the event of a power
failure or power restoration at the wireless network device. At
block 910, a wireless signal corresponding to the wireless access
device is detected. It will be appreciated that the order of
operations of block 905 and 910 may be reversed, such that the
signal is first detected and the determination of the wireless
access device follows thereafter. Optionally, the wireless signal
may include information allowing the wireless network device to
determine a quality of the wireless signal, such as a transmitted
signal strength. At block 915, the quality of the wireless signal
is determined. At block 920, the quality of the wireless signal is
compared to one or more threshold values, such as to determine
whether the quality of the wireless signal is too high, too low, or
within a useful range, for example. This comparison may be later
utilized, such as in block 925 where a notification is generated,
such as a notification that includes instructions for positioning
the wireless network device. At block 930, the notification is
displayed. Optionally, the notification may include, for example, a
webpage or other message that in some way provides the
instructions. Optionally, the notification may be a visible alert,
such as presented on a display of the wireless network device, such
as an LCD display, e-ink display, LED display. Optionally, the
notification is an audible alert. Optionally, the display of the
notification is facilitated by use of another network device, such
as by transmitting the notification to the other network device and
displaying the notification on a display of the other network
device, by using a web browser of the other network device, etc.
Various display implementations are possible.
[0090] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a wireless network device
1000. The wireless network device 1000 may include any
human-to-machine interface with network connection capability that
allows access to a network. For example, the wireless network
device 1000 may include a stand-alone interface (e.g., a cellular
telephone, a smartphone, a home computer, a laptop computer, a
tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computing device, a
wearable device such as a smart watch, a wall panel, a keypad, or
the like), an interface that is built into an electronic device
(e.g., television, security system, game console, browser, or the
like), a speech or gesture interface (e.g., Kinect.TM. sensor,
Wiimote.TM., or the like), etc. The wireless network device 1000
includes hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a
bus 1018 (or may otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). In
one embodiment, the bus 1018 can be used for the processor(s) 1002
to communicate between cores and/or with the memory 1012. The
hardware elements may include one or more processors 1002,
including without limitation one or more special-purpose processors
(such as digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration
processors, and/or the like); one or more input devices 1016, which
can include without limitation a camera, a mouse, a keyboard, a
touch sensitive screen, a touch pad, a keypad, and/or the like; and
one or more output devices 1014, which can include, without
limitation, a display, a printer, and/or the like.
[0091] The wireless network device 1000 may include one or more
wireless transceivers 1006 connected to the bus 1018. The wireless
transceiver 1006 may be operable to receive wireless signals (e.g.,
signal 1010) via antenna 1008. The wireless signal 1010 may be
transmitted via a wireless network. In some embodiments, the
wireless network may be any wireless network such as a wireless
local area network (e.g., local area network 100), such as Wi-Fi
network, a Personal Access Network (PAN) (e.g., Bluetooth.RTM. or
Zigbee.RTM.), or a cellular network (e.g. a GSM, WCDMA, LTE,
CDMA2000 network). Wireless transceiver 1006 may be configured to
receive various radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., signal 1010)
via antenna 1008 from one or more gateways, network devices, other
access devices, cloud networks, and/or the like. Wireless network
device 1000 may also be configured to decode and/or decrypt, via
the digital signal processor (DSP) 1004 and/or processor(s) 1002,
various signals received from one or more gateways, network
devices, other access devices, cloud networks, and/or the like.
[0092] The wireless network device 1000 may further include (and/or
be in communication with) one or more non-transitory
machine-readable storage mediums or storage devices (e.g., memory
1012), which can comprise, without limitation, local and/or network
accessible storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk
drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state
storage device such as a random access memory ("RAM") and/or a
read-only memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable,
flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices may be
configured to implement any appropriate data storage, including
without limitation, various file systems, database structures,
and/or the like.
[0093] In various embodiments, functions may be stored as one or
more computer-program products, such as instructions or code, in
memory 1012, such as RAM, ROM, FLASH, or disc drive, and executed
by processor(s) 1002 or DSP 1004. The wireless network device 1000
can also comprise software elements (e.g., located within the
memory 1012), including, for example, an operating system, device
drivers, executable libraries, and/or other code, such as one or
more application programs, which may comprise computer programs
implementing various functions. Merely by way of example, one or
more procedures described with respect to the processes discussed
above may be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by
a computer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect,
then, such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or
adapt a computer (or other device) to perform one or more
operations in accordance with the described methods. Such functions
or code may include code to perform the steps described above with
respect to FIG. 5, for example. Memory 1012 may be a non-transitory
machine-readable storage medium, processor-readable memory, and/or
a computer-readable memory that stores the one or more
computer-program products configured to cause the processor(s) 1002
and/or DSP 1004 to perform the various functions. In other
embodiments, the various functions described may be performed in
hardware.
[0094] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a server 1100. The server
1100 includes hardware elements that can be electrically coupled
via a bus 1116 (or may otherwise be in communication, as
appropriate). In one embodiment, the bus 1116 can be used for the
processor(s) 1102 to communicate between cores and/or with the
memory 1112. The hardware elements may include one or more
processors 1102, including without limitation one or more
special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing
chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like), memory
1112, DSP 1104, a wireless transceiver 1106, a bus 1116, and
antenna 1108. Furthermore, in addition to the wireless transceiver
1106, server 1100 can further include a network interface 1114 to
communicate with a network (e.g., a local area network, a network
of a preferred carrier, Internet, etc.).
[0095] The server 1100 may further include (and/or be in
communication with) one or more non-transitory machine-readable
storage mediums or storage devices (e.g., memory 1112), which can
comprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible
storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a
drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage
device such as a random access memory ("RAM") and/or a read-only
memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or
the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any
appropriate data storage, including without limitation, various
file systems, database structures, and/or the like.
[0096] In various embodiments, functions may be stored as one or
more one or more computer-program products, such as instructions or
code, in memory 1112. The server 1100 can also comprise software
elements (e.g., located within the memory), including, for example,
an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or
other code, such as one or more application programs, which may
comprise computer programs implementing the functions provided by
various embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods
and/or configure systems, as described herein. The memory 1112 may
be a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,
processor-readable memory, and/or a computer-readable memory that
stores the one or more computer-program products configured to
cause the processor(s) 1102 to perform the functions described. In
other embodiments, one or more of the functions described may be
performed in hardware.
[0097] A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on a
non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory
1012. In some cases, the storage medium might be incorporated
within a computer system. In other embodiments, the storage medium
might be separate from a computer system (e.g., a removable medium,
such as a compact disc), and/or provided in an installation
package, such that the storage medium can be used to program,
configure and/or adapt a computer with the instructions/code stored
thereon. These instructions of one or more computer-program
products might take the form of executable code, which is
executable by the wireless network device 1000 and/or might take
the form of source and/or installable code, which, upon compilation
and/or installation on the wireless network device 1000 (e.g.,
using any of a variety of generally available compilers,
installation programs, compression/decompression utilities, etc.)
then takes the form of executable code.
[0098] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of an access device 1200. The
access device 1200 may include a range extending device, a router,
an access point, a modem, and/or any other device that provides
network access among one or more computing devices and/or external
networks. For example, the access device 1200 may include a router
gateway with access point and router functionality, and may further
include an Ethernet switch and/or a modem. As another example, the
access device 1200 may include a range extending gateway that may
be used to improve signal range and strength within a network by
taking an existing signal from another gateway (e.g., a wireless
access point, wireless router, or the like) and rebroadcasting the
signal to create a second logical network.
[0099] The access device 1200 includes hardware elements that can
be electrically coupled via a bus 1218 (or may otherwise be in
communication, as appropriate). In one embodiment, the bus 1218 can
be used for the processor(s) 1202 to communicate between cores
and/or with the memory 1212. The hardware elements may include one
or more processors 1202, including without limitation one or more
special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing
chips, graphics acceleration processors, and/or the like); one or
more input devices 1216, which can include without limitation one
or more buttons, a keyboard, a keypad, a touch sensitive screen, a
touch pad, and/or the like; and one or more output devices 1214,
which can include, without limitation, a display, light or sound
indicators, and/or the like.
[0100] The access device 1200 may include one or more wireless
transceivers 1206 and 1220 connected to the bus 1218. The wireless
transceiver 1206 may be operable to receive wireless signals (e.g.,
a wireless signal 1210) via an antenna 1208. The wireless
transceivers 1220 may be operable to receive wireless signals
(e.g., a wireless signal 1224) via an antenna 1222. The wireless
transceivers 1206 and 1220 may each include a Wi-Fi transceiver
radio designed to transmit and receive signals using frequencies of
a specific frequency band, which may be referred to herein as
"Wi-Fi circuits." For example, wireless transceiver 1206 may
include a 2.4 GHz WiF-i circuit, and wireless transceiver 1220 may
include a 5 GHz Wi-Fi circuit. Accordingly, the access device 1200
may include a single Wi-Fi circuit for a first Wi-Fi frequency
band, and a single Wi-Fi circuit for a second Wi-Fi frequency band.
In some embodiments, the access device 1200 may include multiple
wireless transceivers (not shown) for each available frequency
band. The antennas 1208 and 1222 may include multiple band antennas
that can transmit and/or receive signals over different frequency
bands.
[0101] The access device 1200 may further include radio frequency
(RF) circuit 1226. In some embodiments, the wireless transceivers
1206 and 1220 may be integrated with or coupled to the RF circuit
1226 so that the RF circuit 1226 includes the wireless transceivers
1206 and 1220. In some embodiments, the wireless transceivers 1206
and 1220 and the RF circuit 1226 are separate components. The RF
circuit 1226 may include a RF amplifier that may amplify signals
received over antennas 1208 and 1222. The RF circuit 1226 may also
include a power controller that may be used to adjust signal
amplification by the RF amplifier. The power controller may be
implemented using hardware, firmware, software, or any combination
thereof.
[0102] The wireless signals 1210 and 1224 may be transmitted via a
wireless network. In some embodiments, the wireless network may be
any wireless network such as a wireless local area network (e.g.,
local area network 100), such as Wi-Fi.TM., a Personal Access
Network (PAN), such as Bluetooth.RTM. or Zigbee.RTM., or a cellular
network (e.g. a GSM, WCDMA, LTE, CDMA2000 network). Wireless
transceivers 1206 and 1220 may be configured to receive various
radio frequency (RF) signals (e.g., signals 1210 and 1224) via
antennas 1208 and 1224, respectively, from one or more other access
devices, network devices, cloud networks, and/or the like. Access
device 1200 may also be configured to decode and/or decrypt, via
the DSP 1204 and/or processor(s) 1202, various signals received
from one or more gateways, network devices, cloud networks, and/or
the like.
[0103] The access device 1200 may include a power supply (not
shown) that can power the various components of the access device
1200. The power supply may include a switch-mode power supply, a
linear power supply, a push-pull power supply, or any other
suitable type of power supply. In some embodiments, the access
device 1200 may include multiple power supplies. For example, a
switch-mode power supply may be used to condition input power, and
a linear power supply may be used to power the RF circuit 1226. The
power supply may be configured to operate over various ranges of
appropriate input voltages.
[0104] The access device 1200 may further include (and/or be in
communication with) one or more non-transitory machine-readable
storage mediums or storage devices (e.g., memory 1212), which can
comprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessible
storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a
drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage
device such as a random access memory ("RAM") and/or a read-only
memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable, flash-updateable and/or
the like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any
appropriate data storage, including without limitation, various
file systems, database structures, and/or the like.
[0105] In various embodiments, functions may be stored as one or
more computer-program products, such as instructions or code, in
memory, such as RAM, ROM, FLASH, or disc drive, and executed by one
or more processors. A network device can also comprise software
elements (e.g., located within the memory), including, for example,
an operating system, device drivers, executable libraries, and/or
other code, such as one or more application programs, which may
comprise computer programs implementing the functions provided by
various embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods
and/or configure systems, as described herein.
[0106] Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described
with respect to the processes discussed above, for example as
described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 9, may be implemented as code
and/or instructions executable by a computer (and/or a processor
within a computer); in an aspect, then, such code and/or
instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt a computer (or
other device) to perform one or more operations in accordance with
the described methods. Such functions or code may include code to
perform the steps described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 9.
The memory may be a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium,
processor-readable memory, and/or a computer-readable memory that
stores the one or more computer-program products configured to
cause the processor(s) to perform the functions described. In other
embodiments, one or more of the functions described may be
performed in hardware.
[0107] A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on a
non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory.
In some cases, the storage medium might be incorporated within a
computer system. In other embodiments, the storage medium might be
separate from a computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as
a compact disc), and/or provided in an installation package, such
that the storage medium can be used to program, configure and/or
adapt a computer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These
instructions of one or more computer-program products might take
the form of executable code, which is executable by the gateway
and/or might take the form of source and/or installable code,
which, upon compilation and/or installation on the gateway (e.g.,
using any of a variety of generally available compilers,
installation programs, compression/ decompression utilities, etc.)
then takes the form of executable code.
[0108] Substantial variations may be made in accordance with
specific requirements. For example, customized hardware might also
be used, and/or particular elements might be implemented in
hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets,
etc.), or both. Further, connection to other access or computing
devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.
[0109] In the foregoing specification, aspects of the invention are
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, but those
skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited
thereto. Various features and aspects of the above-described
invention may be used individually or jointly. Further, embodiments
can be utilized in any number of environments and applications
beyond those described herein without departing from the broader
spirit and scope of the specification. The specification and
drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather
than restrictive.
[0110] In the foregoing description, for the purposes of
illustration, methods were described in a particular order. It
should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the methods
may be performed in a different order than that described. It
should also be appreciated that the methods described above may be
performed by hardware components or may be embodied in sequences of
machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a
machine, such as a special-purpose processor or logic circuits
programmed with the instructions to perform the methods. These
machine-executable instructions may be stored on one or more
machine readable mediums, such as CD-ROMs or other type of optical
disks, floppy diskettes, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or
optical cards, flash memory, or other types of machine-readable
mediums suitable for storing electronic instructions.
Alternatively, the methods may be performed by a combination of
hardware and software.
[0111] Where components are described as being configured to
perform certain operations, such configuration can be accomplished,
for example, by designing electronic circuits or other hardware to
perform the operation, by programming programmable electronic
circuits (e.g., microprocessors, or other suitable electronic
circuits) to perform the operation, or any combination thereof.
[0112] While illustrative embodiments of the application have been
described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the
inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and
employed, and that the appended claims are intended to be construed
to include such variations, except as limited by the prior art.
* * * * *